The lawyer called on Mrs. Braham, and after an agitated and tearful interview, persuaded her to keep the appointment. "Consider," said he, "what you gain by making our office the place of meeting. Establish that at once. It's a point of defense." The meeting took place in the lawyer's private room, and Mrs. Braham was so overcome that she nearly fainted. Then she was hysterical, and finally tears relieved her. When she came to this point, Monckton, who had looked upon the whole exhibition as a mere preliminary form observed by females, said, "Come, Lucy, don't be silly. I am not here to spoil your little game, but to play my own. The question is, will you help me to make my fortune?" "Oh, that I will, if you will not break up my home." "Not such a fool, my dear. Catch me killing a milk-cow! You give me a percentage on your profits, and I'm dumb." "Then all you want is more money?" "That is all; and I shall not want that in a month's time." "I have brought £100, Leonard," she said, timidly. "Sensible girl. Hand it over." Two white hands trembled at the strings of a little bag, and took out ten crisp notes. Leonard took them with satisfaction. "There," said he. "This will last me till I have found Bartley and Hope, and made my fortune." "Hope!" said Mrs. Braham. "Oh, pray keep clear of him! Pray don't attack _him_ again. He is such an able man!" "I will not attack him again to be defeated. Forewarned, forearmed. Indeed, if I am to bleed Bartley, I don't know how I can be revenged on Hope. _That is the cruel thing_. But don't you trouble about my business, Lucy, unless," said he, with a sneer, "you can tell me where to find them, and so save me a lot of money." "Well, Leonard," said Lucy, "it can't be so very hard to find Hope. You know where that young man lives that you--that I--" "Oh, Walter Clifford! Yes, of course I know where _he_ lives. At Clifford Hall, in Derbyshire." "Well, Leonard, Hope saved him from prison, and ruined you. That young man had a good heart. He would not forget such a kindness. He may not know where Mr. Bartley lives, but surely he will know where Hope is." "Lucy," said Leonard, "you are not such a fool as you were. It is a chance, at all events. I'll go down to that neighborhood directly. I'll have a first-rate disguise, and spy about, and pick up all I can." "And you will never say anything or do anything to--Oh, Leonard, I'm a bad wife. I never can be a good one now to anybody. But I'm a good mother; and I thought God had forgiven me, when he sent me my little angel. You will never ruin his poor mother, and make her darling blush for her!"